2004 MEDAL RECIPIENTS

The following is a list of the Department's 2004 medals honorees, their
citations and personal information:

MEDAL OF HONOR

Awarded to “an employee whose actions, in the line of duty, evidence
an extraordinary degree of courage, bravery or heroism.”

Michael L. Williams, Investigator - Inspector General’s Office

On October 17, 2003, Investigator Michael L. Williams of the Inspector
General’s Office was on duty in Iraq, serving our Nation and protecting
our freedom. He was an Army Specialist assigned to the 105th Military Police
Company of the Army National Guard. Specialist Williams and several other
soldiers were returning to camp in a military vehicle along the MSR Jackson
near Baghdad. He was killed in action when their vehicle struck and detonated
an improvised explosive device in the roadway. Mr. Williams’ choice
to put his own life in danger for the safety of all Americans is in the highest
service that a citizen can render their Nation. His death reminds all Americans
of the bravery and valor of those serving in our armed forces. It is with
the greatest respect and deepest admiration that we posthumously recall his
sacrifice today.

MEDAL OF MERIT

Awarded to “an employee for extraordinary performance in the line
of duty or for an exceptional contribution to the Department.”

Michael Rybczynski, Correction Officer - Albion Correctional Facility

On November 19, 2003, you heard the sounds from a loud fight emanating
from your back yard. Upon investigation, you observed a Buffalo police officer
engaged in a violent fight with a crime suspect. The suspect was high on crack
and possessed superhuman strength. That was turning the fight into a life
or death struggle for the officer. Without regard for your own safety, you
came to the police officer’s assistance. Even with your help, it took
approximately five minutes to subdue the suspect. It was later discovered
that other police officers had received the officer’s call for assistance,
but an equipment malfunction prevented them from learning his location. While
his fellow officers began a frantic search from his last known location, they
were unable to locate him. They did not arrive in time to help subdue the
suspect. Your decision to put your own safety at risk by intervening may very
well have saved the police officer’s life.

Andrew D. Dannheim, Correction Officer - Attica Correctional Facility

On February 17, 2003, you saved your elderly, wheelchair-bound neighbor
from his burning residence. Your daughter alerted you to a fire raging in
the next door home of Timothy Baron. Your first response was, appropriately,
to call 911. You then rushed next door and assisted Mr. Baron in escaping
from his apartment at the rear of the building. The fire spread from the rear
to the front of the building in about 20 minutes. The structure was deemed
a total loss. You are being credited for taking quick action, without regard
for your own safety, that saved Mr. Baron’s life.

Paul J. O Connell, ASAT Assistant - Clinton Correctional Facility

On February 19, 2003, you were in Nicaragua acting as an adult chaperone
for a youth trip sponsored by the North Country Mission of Hope. On their
last day in the country, several adult volunteers joined their teenage charges
in taking one last swim. A treacherous riptide pulled the volunteers off their
feet and out to sea. While the volunteers were able to make it back to shore,
exhausted from their efforts, two young students still remained caught in
the riptide. You plunged into the surf and swam out to sea for approximately
15 to 20 minutes to reach the girls. Unable to tow them in together, you pushed
them forward with each incoming wave, moving ten feet toward shore with each
wave. After pushing them 150 feet towards shore, a vacationing Canadian lifeguard
came to your assistance with a tow rope. If not for your brave actions, it
is very likely that these two young girls may not have survived.

On June 18, 2003, Plattsburgh resident Samuel Thuesen, age 76, was fly
fishing with a friend on the upper part of the Saranac River. He lost his
footing and fell into the river. Mr. Thuesen's friend rushed up the riverbank
to the roadway. He began flagging down vehicles for help. You stopped your
vehicle and charged down to the river’s edge. You observed Mr. Thuesen
trapped in a small whirlpool about 100 feet off shore. The water in this section
of the river is 90 feet deep and was ice cold. You swam out to Mr. Thuesen,
who was floating on his back with his head submersed in water. You lifted
Mr. Thuesen's head out of the water and dragged his body back to shore. You
then began CPR. Ambulance workers arrived and transported Mr. Thuesen to a
hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Your fearless action put your life
in jeopardy, a fact undiminished by the unfortunate death of Mr. Thuesen.

On September 8, 2003, you were driving along County Route 40 in the Town
of Hartford. You came upon a vehicle off the road and its engine compartment
engulfed in flames. The Hartford Fire Chief and a passing motorist had also
stopped to give assistance. You approached the vehicle and observed the driver
was unconscious inside. After unsuccessfully attempting to open the driver’s
door, you rounded the vehicle and entered through the passenger side front
door. You fought the smoke and fire to free the driver’s seat belt and
to open the driver’s door from the inside of the vehicle. You exited
the vehicle and ran to the driver s side door. You and the passerby extricated
the driver from the vehicle, only seconds before it burst into flames. You
administered CPR while teaching the passerby how to do the same. You are one
of the three individuals credited with saving this man s life. Without your
efforts and disregard for your own safety, the victim surely would not have
survived the fire that engulfed his vehicle.

On March 4, 2003, you were driving to work when you saw smoke billowing
from a private residence on State Route 49. You immediately drove to the house.
You heard voices coming from inside the house and broke down the front door.
You located an elderly couple, one of whom had an oxygen tank, and a 9-year-old
boy. You escorted all three out of the burning home, but returned upon learning
there were two more occupants inside. Crawling on your hands and knees due
to the intense smoke, you located a boy in a rear bedroom and carried him
to the front door and passed him to a neighbor. You and Marcy CO Lawrence
Ciaccia then reentered the building to locate the last resident. This time,
conditions made it impossible to do anything but retreat from the house before
you could locate the last resident who died in the fire. Your truly heroic
actions contributed to saving four lives.

On March 4, 2003, you were driving to work when you observed a burning
house on State Route 49. You immediately responded to the home. Without regard
to your personal safety, you entered the burning structure. Along with Mid-State
CO David Buckbee, you were able to rescue two elderly and two young residents
from the inflamed home. This action required numerous entries into the smoke
filled structure. When smoke and fire drove you out the front door, you reentered
through the back door. You continued in your attempts to locate a fifth occupant
until conditions drove you, CO Buckbee and State Trooper L. Marfone out of
what had become a fully-involved house fire. Your heroic efforts contributed
to saving four lives.